Florida is a busy, productive state and too often injuries happen to workers in the variety of different occupations that people are employed in. If you have been injured in your job in Florida and you have been too afraid to ask your employee for worker’s compensation to cover your loss of earnings and medical bills, you should contact a Florida worker’s compensation attorney to help you get the compensation you may be legally entitled to receive. Employment in Florida The total employment in all occupations in Florida is 7,925,300, according to the latest statistics. The largest source of employment is in office and admin which makes up 1,404,860 jobs. Sales’ occupations account for 1,035,070 jobs. The food preparation industry employs 869,740 workers. In the health field 492,720 people are employed. The transport industry involving the movement of goods and raw materials employs 477,530 people. The finance and business sector employs 423,110 people. The education, training, and libraries sector account for 410,810 jobs. Editors take 4,620 jobs, engineers make up 4,600 jobs and there are 4,580 behavioral disorder and substance abuse counselors. Most workers earn an average of between$32,000 and $50,000 per annum. Florida Workers’ Comp Insurance Requirements for Employers Many employers that are based in the state of Florida are required to provide workers’ compensation insurance to cover their employees. The employer’s requirements are determined by the sort of industry, how many people are employed and what sort of organization it is. These requirements must be checked carefully by every employer as ignorance of Florida law is not regarded as an excuse and heavy fines are possible if a worker is injured or becomes ill and insurance coverage is not available. The employer may also be letting itself open to a private lawsuit against it as it would not be covered by insurance. Employers should take out workers’ compensation insurance with a commercial carrier of their own choosing. The state of Florida does not provide insurance. Other Workers’ Compensation Insurance Provisions in Florida Worker’s comp is normally compulsory in industries and depends upon the number of employees. The construction industry is required to provide this benefit if it employs 1 or more workers. All other industries are required to do so if they employ 4 or more workers. In the agricultural sector, a business needs to employ 6 or more employees who work regularly for it or 12 seasonally employed workers who are employed for at least 30 days throughout the season but less than 45 in a 12 month period. Whether an employer is mandated by law to provide worker’s comp also depends on the type of entity it is operating under. When You Are Not Happy With Your Workers’ Comp Claim If you are a worker who lives and works in Florida and you have been injured in the course of your duties and the compensation that has been provided to you by your employee doesn’t cover your medical expenses or loss of earnings, you should seek help from a worker’s comp attorney as soon as possible In most situations your employer is legally required to provide compensation and an attorney will be able to help you get the financial help you are legally entitled to receive. Additional Resources What is the Workers’ Compensation Filing Process in Florida? Florida Workers' Compensation FAQ Hurt Working At Miller's Ale House
